Anticipation

Right now, I am counting down the hours until we pick the girls up from school and head off into the sunset.  Well, not exactly, cuz it will be earlier than sunset and we're driving north not west, but anyway... We are "getting away" for the weekend and it is TIME.  I'm so excited to be with my family nonstop for the weekend.  Playing at the pool, room service, towels on the floor, Disney channel and Man vs Wild on the tele, beds staying unmade, clothes staying unfolded, good book on the bedside table, memories tucked away and laughter shared.  This will indeed be a happy Mother's Day for me. Being together with the ones who gave me the privilege to celebrate this day.  Being a mom.  To my beautiful, lovely, kiddos.  My favorite things about mothering these 4 lovelies are:

• celebrating how unique each one of my kids are 
• hearing the beat of their heart from the words that come out of their mouths
• watching their "style" develop as they express themselves through their outward appearance 
• loving their interactions with Daddy 
• knowing that the laundry that I fold and the dishes that I wash are for people that I dearly love
• having memories of vacations and special days that we will never forget
• hugs
• observing the differences between them and finding ways to encourage those differences
• teaching them about the Lord as they teach me even more about Him
• showing them God's love
• seeing their personalities through their schoolwork 
• walking into their bedrooms and appreciating their individuality
• exploring life with my kids and Patrick through the adventures and vacations that we go on

I am a blessed mama.  It is a calling that has been placed on my life.  Only God can give me the wisdom, gentleness and creativity for the job.  Some days are harder than others; some days have more tears and frustration than laughter.  But when I look for the good over the bad, it is there and I recognize it as the absolute best thing in my life.  I believe that God is using my role as mom to fulfill His purpose for my life, and that my children are the "good works" that God prepared in advance for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10)